Dispenser and support therefor



Oct. 21, 1941.. G. BINON' 2,259,992

DISPENSER AND SUPPORT THEREFOR Filed Nov. 26, 1957 7 X 4'5 I I g \K A 13% 4546 45 INVENTOR Georges Bino n TTORN Y Patented Oct. 21, 1941 ,UNITED STAT r i DISPENSER AND SUPPORT THEREFOR I Georges Binon, Paris, rance; assignor tar-he 1 'Food Dispenser Company, a corporation of Connecticut Application November 26, 1937," Serial No. 176,526

' 14 Claims. (01.221 46) My present invention relates generally to dispensing devices and has particular reference to certain improvements in a dispensing device of the' character illustrated in my Patent No.

2,185,288. r i It hasamong its objects to provide an improved sealing means for such dispensers adapted to be provided in .thesupport in which the dispenser is seated when not in use. A further object of my'invention is to provide such improved sealing means'adapted to close the opening in the spout of the removable dispenser member in an improved manner, preventing the escape of materials-from the dispenser into the support, as, for example, when the dispenser is inadvertently operatedto dispense its contents and while carried on its support. A still further object of my invention is to provide such improved closure means of an improved resilient type andrincluding resiliently mounted closure means so disposed in spaced relation above the bottom of the support as to provide effective closure without requiring the use of a solid block or. cork or rubber, while enabling the use of either improved'diaphragmsor improved spring mounted closures. These and other objects of my; improvements will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawing, I have shown for, purposes of illustration certain embodiments which my invention may assume inpractice.

In the drawing: a I

Figure 1 is an elevational cross section through thedispensing device constructed in accordance with my present invention;

' Figure 2 is an elevational cross section through the-support of Figure 1 shown by itself;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating a modification;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating a second modification; and

V Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 llustrating a third modification.

' For illustrative purposes I have shown in Figure *1 a container of the character illustrated and described in my copending patent application, this container being adapted primarily for use with a viscous liquid such as mustard, tomato ketchup or the like. A cylindrical container [0, composed-of any suitable material, has its upper edge suitably configured to receive a resilient diaphragm H. The latter is of any suitable material, preferably softrrubber or its equivalent, and arches upwardly by ;a slight amount. In the diaphragm,zT lfifer-ablytat tthe center, is a relatively small opening 18, formed in the inner portion of a thickening 20 of dome-like character in which a diagonal slit I9 isprovided, this slit communicating, at its inner end with the open- The lower portion of the container I0 is downwardly tapered as indicated by the reference numeral I2 whereby acentral narrowed outlet spout I3 is formed at the bottom .of the container. Within the container is an accommodated mass M of viscous liquid such as mustard or ketchup ,or of any other material whose periodic dispensing is desired; andfloating on the surface of this material is a disc l5 of any suitable material inert and unreactive with respect to the material I4. I

The container I0 is adapted to be supported in aremovable manner on a member l6 adapted to stand upon a table and having a recess 35 adapted to receive .and accommodate the lower portion of the container l0. Preferably the container I0 is provided with a peripheral shoulder 36 adapted to'rest upon the upper edge of the support Hi to hold the' container Ill in position. -When liquid. or-other material is to be dispensed, the container 10 is bodily removed from the support 16 and pressure is egcerted upon the diaphragm II whereby an increase of the pressure within the container results in the expulsicn of a quantity of the material I4 through the outlet spout l3. After a desired expulsion of material, the containeris set back into the support Hi. My present invention relates specifically to a means for eificiently and automatically sealing the outlet spout l3 whenever the container is placed back into the support IS.

The preferred form of my invention is illustrated in Figures .1 and 2 in which the floor 31 of the support I6 is substantially fiat. ranged on this floor is a yieldable resilient diaphragm 38 composed of soft rubber or equivalent material. This member has a thickened rim portion 39 which fits snugly into the angle between the bottom wall and the side walls of the support it. The body portion of the diaphragm38 normally arches upwardly by a slight degree as shown in Figure 2, and apertures 40 are preferably provided for the purpose of permitting free passage ofair through the diaphragm.

Where the outlet' spout of the container is centrally arranged, the diaphragm 38 is provided at its centerwith a rounded member or protrusion 4| which is preferably an integral portion of the diaphragm itself. Surrounding tion 42 adapted to conform to the exterior contour of the outlet spout.

The height of the support l6, and the positioning of the shoulder 36, are so proportioned with respect to the diaphragm 38 that when the container I is placed into the support l6, as shown in Figure 1, the outlet spout will automatically fit itself snugly into the cup-like portion 42, and at the same time the protuberance 4| will seat itself, like a valve, into the outlet opening. The container I0 is thus automatically and efficiently sealed as shown in Figure l.

During this normal sealed relationship of the parts, the diaphragm 38 is slightly deflected into the position of Figure 1 and its inherent resilience presses the portions 4! and 42 upwardly to keep the seal tight. Under these conditions, no manipulation of the diaphragm ll, whether accidental or deliberate, can result in any undesired prematureexpulsion of material from the container.

. .I may mention that the portion' li is purposefully not made of any substantial length, otherwise the withdrawal of the container from its support ,wouldbe impeded by .a suction efiect uponits lower portion.

-Preferably the diaphragm member is removably positioned within the recess 35 to facilitate cleaningof the parts when desired.

In Figure3, I have illustrated a modification in which the floor 43 of the recess'in the support 44 is downwardly tapering to conform to the bottom WallIZ of the container [0. In this construction the lower portion of the floor 43 is formed of the yieldable resilient diaphragm 45 havingthe rounded protrusion 46. If desired, the entire support 44 including the diaphragm portion 45 may be made of an integral piece of rubber or its equivalent, "butit will be understood-that the diaphragm portion may be separately constructed, and subsequently associated withthe main 'portion'of the support 44.

The :diaphragm 45 is purposely arranged so that it will normallyiie slightly above .the position shown in Figure 3, whereby'the insertion of the container into'the base results in deflecting or stretching the diaphragmlinto the position of Figure 3, as .aresult of which the inherent resilience of the diaphragm presses the protrusion 46 upwardly into the outlet opening l3, and presses the upwardly divergent portions of the diaphragm against the outside of the outlet spout.

In Figure 4 I have illustrated a modified construction in which the rounded sealing member 4'! is inthe form of a ball or button member urged upwardly'by a coiled spring 48 arranged beneath it. In this construction the other portions of the device are thesame as in Figure l, and therefore, the same'reference numerals are applied.

InFig-ure 5, I have illustrated a further modification in which the rounded sealing member 49 is form-ed on leaf-spring 50 secured as at l to the bottom wall of the support I6. The :same reference numerals are applied in Figure ,5 as inFigures 1 and 4, to designate the parts which are otherwise the same in these figures.

The general advantages of this type of dispensing device are fully set 'forth in my Patent No. 2,185,288 and need not be repeated here. It will be observed, however, that the present improvements result in the production of an efiicient fool-proof dispensing device whose prac- 2,259,992 this portion is an upwardly flaring cup-like portical utilization in a wide variety of arts will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

In general, it will be understood that changes in the details, herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of my invention, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated itsuse, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a dispenser of the character described, a container with a restricted outlet spout in the bottom wall, a separate support for the container having. a recess adapted to accommodate the lower portion of the container, and yieldable means associated with said support at the bottom of said recess .for sealing said spout and havingan upwardly projecting member adapted to enter'intojthe opening in the end of said outlet spout, and resilient means supporting said member and urging it into said opening.

2. In a dispenser, the combination set forth in claim 1, said resilient means comprising a spring.

3. In a dispenser of the character described, acontainer with a narrowed outlet spout in the bottom'wall, a support ,for the container having arecess adapted to accommodate the lower portion of the container, and yieldable means associatedywithsaid support at the bottom of said recess for sealing said spout, said means. comprisinga rubber diaphragm with an upwardly arched portion, and a rounded protruberance on saidarc'hed portion adapted to seat itself into the" end of said outlet spout;

v, -4.'In ,ardispenser of the character described, a. container with a narrowed outlet spout in the bottom wall ,;a support for the container having a recess adapted to accommodate the lower portion 'of thecontainer, and a yieldable resilient diaphragm, associated with said support at the bottomgofsaid recess for. sealing said spout, said diaphragm having ag-rounded portion adapted to seat-itself into the-end of said outlet spout, and another portion adapted to enclose said spout.

5. In a dispenser of the character. described, a container with a downwardly tapering bottom walland anarrowed outlet opening at-the bottom, a support for the container'having a recess adapted to accommodate said bottom'wall, and a yieldable resilient diaphragm associated with said support at the bottom of said recess for-sealing said opening, said diaphragm having a rounded portion adapted to. seat itself into the end of said opening, and an upwardly'iilaring portion adapted snugly to enclose said bottom wall adjacent to said opening.

6. In a dispenser, the combination set forth in claim 5, said diaphragm being removably mounted within said recess.

7. In a .-d-ispenser,the combination set forth in cla'i-m'5, thefloor of .said recess being substantialiy'flat, and said diaphragm being removably mountedon said floor.

8. In a dispenser, the combination set forth in claim 5, the floor lofesa'id recess being substantially-flat, and said diaphragm being removably mounted on said floor, said diaphragm having an upwardly arched cross-section and being provided with venting apertures.

9.'In a dispenser, the combination set forth inTC}a,im.5, the floor of "said recess being downthe end of said outlet spout, and resilient means wardly tapering to conform to the bottom wall of the container, and said diaphragm forming the lower portion of said floor.

10. In a dispenser of the character described, a container with a restricted outlet spout in the bottom wall, a support for the container having a recess adapted to accommodate the lower portion of the container, and yieldable means associated with said support and positioned at the bottom of said recess for sealing said spout, said means comprising a rounded member receivable in the end of said outlet spout, and resilient means supporting said rounded member and urging it upwards into said spout.

11. In a dispenser, the combination set forth in claim 10, said resilient means comprising a spring.

12. In a dispenser of the character described, a container with a restricted outlet spout in the bottom wall, a support for the container having a recess adapted to accommodate the lower portion of the container, and yieldable means associated with said support at the bottom of said recess for sealing said spout, said means comprising a rounded member adapted to seat itself into supporting said rounded member and urging it upwards, said resilient means comprising a leaf spring carrying said rounded member as a part thereof.

'13. In a dispenser of the character described, a container with a restricted outlet spout in the bottom wall, a support for the container having a recess adapted to accommodate the lower portion of the container, and yieldable means associated with said support at the bottom of said recess for sealing said spout, said means comprising a rounded member adapted to seat itself into the end of said outlet spout, and resilient means supporting said rounded member and urging it upwards, said resilient means comprising a rubber diaphragm.

14. In combination, a container having a lower outlet spout, a container support receiving the spout thereof and including a resilient diaphragm having a depending axial spout receiving and closing socket portion and a peripheral supporting flange extending above and below saidilast mentioned portion and maintaining the latter spaced from the bottom of said support.

GEORGES BINON. 

